Cozy Gardens = Happy Bees


Fall + Winter Tips for a Bee-Friendly Backyard

As autumn settles in and winter approaches, many assume the gardening season is over, but for pollinators, this is just the beginning of an important survival chapter. With a few thoughtful fall gardening tips, anyone can help create a pollinator-friendly garden that supports bees through the cold months.

If we want to save the bees, caring for them in fall and winter is essential.

🌸 1. Plant late-blooming flowers they love

Late-season blooms provide crucial food for bees in winter. Great choices include:

  • Asters

  • Sedum

  • Goldenrod

  • Lavender

  • Sunflowers

These native plants for bees help fuel their final flights before temperatures drop.

🍂 2. Leave the leaves (your bees will thank you!)

Those crunchy leaves piling up outside? They’re actually perfect natural insulation for:

  • Solitary bees

  • Butterflies

  • Other beneficial pollinators

Leaving leaf litter is one of the easiest and most effective fall gardening tips for supporting pollinators.

🏡 3. Add bee hotels & winter shelters

A simple bee hotel transforms your yard into a safe space for native bees who overwinter alone. In winter gardening, small shelters make a big difference.

🚫 4. Say no thanks” to pesticides

Avoiding chemicals especially in cooler months, is essential for helping bees in winter, when food sources are limited, and toxins are more dangerous.

💧 5. Offer a fresh water source

Even in winter, bees benefit from shallow water dishes with small stones for landing. This simple step supports your pollinator-friendly garden year-round.

Creating a thoughtful fall and winter garden strengthens ecosystems and supports The Healthy Hive Foundation's mission to protect pollinators and save the bees.

Lori Walls